Packing and shipping device



Sept. 28 1926.

J. C. WOFFORD PACKING AND SHIPPING DEVICE Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITEDr STATES PATENT oFFicE.

JAMES CARROLL WOFFORD, OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

PACKING AND SHIPPING DEVICE.

Application 1ed Apri1 22, 1926. Serial No. 103,861.

character, which will exert a resilient action j upon the frangible article held therein, and at the same time will possess the maximum strength and stiffness'.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wrapper of the above mentioned character, so constructed that the corners of the frangible articles, such as a square article, are retained spaced from the corners of the wrapper.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. j In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to 'designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wrapper embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a 4horizontal section through the same,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wrapper in a fiat condition, and, Figure 4 is a reduced longitudinal section, showing the fra-ngible article held therein.

The wrapper embodies a body portion in cluding side-sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, formed of suitable material, such as suitably stift cardboard, which may be plain or corrugated. These side-'sections are sulliciently stiff and rigid so that they will not crush under ordinary conditions. The side-sections are formed separate and are secured to a flexible sheet 9, by glue or the like, and this sheet is preferably arranged upon the inner faces of the side-sections, whereby these side-sections are permanently attached, as shown in Figure 3, and are foldable about their longitudinal edges, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The side-section 6 carries end-sections 10 and 1,1. foldably attached thereto by the same sheet 9, as is obvious.

'Arranged pon the inner faces of the sidesections are reinforcing and shock absorbing strips 12. preferably of the same strength and rigidity as the side-sections. However,

these strips 12 are bowed longitudinally. The ends of these strips are rigidly attached to the ends of the side-section 5 by staples 13, although they may be glued to the same. The central portions of these strips 12 are spaced inwardly a substantial distance from the central portions of the side-sections 5,

affording pockets for the reception of resilient packing 14, which may be in the form of excelsior, shredded paper, curled hair,

` or the like. The strips 12 not only function as shock absorbing means ,'but by being spaced from the side-sections, and held spaced by the resilient packing, form with the side-sections a double walled structure for the maximum strength and rigidity, The endsections10 and 11 are provided with combined shock absorbing and reinforcing strips 15, preferably formed of the same material as these end-sections and having the same stiffness. The strips 15, preferably extend transversely of the end-sections and have their ends rigidly attached thereto by staples 16, although glue or other suitable means may be employed. Resilient packing 17 is inserted in the space between the end-sections and the strips 15, for the same purpose as the packing 14.

By forming the strips 12 as stiff as the side sections, and having them longitudinally bowed, with the resilient packing therebetween. a truss structure is provided which has substantial rigidity, against longitudinal bending, but the strips will permit the resilient packingto function, for absorbing shocks which might be transmitted to the frangible article.

The connecting sheet 9 is extended, at the edge of the side-section 8, producing a flap 18, adapted to be carried over the edge of the end-section 5, and glued thereto. The sheet 9 is also projected about the bottom section 11, producing liaps 19, which fold 'upwardly about the side-sections 5, 7 and 8 and may7 be glued or otherwise secured thereto. The sheet 9 is projected beyond the top section 10, in the form of flaps 20. adapted to be folded over the side-section 8 and to be secured thereto by glue or the like.

The wrapperis well adapted for holding square frangible articles 21. Figure 4, and

.the shock absorbing strips 12 and 15 are so arranged, that they produce corner spaces 22, at the corners of the frangible article. which is accordingly spaced from the exter1or of the wrapper. The intermediate portions of the frangible article engage the intermediate portions of the strips 12 and 15.

Instead' of connecting the sections of the wrapper by means of the iiexible sheet 9, the sections may be formed integral, and scored at their edges, for folding.

It is preferred to employ the resilient packing 14, as it lends rigidity and strength to the wrapper, but where the article shipped is light, satisfactory results are obtainable by omitting this packing, as the strips are permanently bowed.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of m invention, or the scope of the subjoine claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim A wrapper comprising a plurality of side sections having straight parallel edges and end sections having straight parallel edges, shock absorbing'and reinforcing strips eX- tending longitudinally of the side sections and longitudinally bowed inwardly and having their ends rigidly attached to the side sections, the end ortions of the strips lying substantially at upon the adjacent end ortions of the side sections, the opposite ongitudinal edges of each shock absorbing and reinforcing strip being straight and spaced inwardly a Substantial distance from the longitudinal edges of the corresponding side section, shock absorbing and reinforcing strips rigidly secured at their ends to the end sections and being longitudinally bowed inwardly, the ends of the last named strip lying substantially fiat .upon the end sections, the end reinforcing!v strip having opposite edges parallel and spaced inwardly a substantial distance from the edges of the end sections, a compressible filling between each side strip and its reinforcing strip, a. compressible filling between each end section and its reinforcing strip, the side and end section being adapted to be assembled to produce a rectangular container,

' there being longitudinal spaces within the container at the corners thereof extendin for the entire length of the container, suc

spaces increasing in width toward their ends. In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

JAMES CARROLL WOFFORD. 

